Articles about Holds

• Wall Street indices declined sharply on Wednesday, March 18, with the S&P 500 falling 1.4% to 6,624.70, Dow Jones dropping 1.6% to 46,225.15, and Nasdaq sliding 1.5% to 22,152.42. • The Federal Reserve decided to keep its main interest rate unchanged, opting against resuming cuts to support the job market and economy amid rising inflation pressures. • Fed Chair Jerome Powell stated, “We just don’t know,” regarding the impact of surging oil prices and President Donald Trump’s tariffs on the economy.

ONS data for three months to January is unlikely to convince Bank of England to cut interest ratesBusiness live – latest updatesWage growth slowed sharply in the three months to January according to the latest snapshot of the jobs market from the Office for National Statistics.Average earnings fell to 3.8% in the three months to January, from 4.2%, which was a larger fall than forecast by City economists. It was the slowest rate of wage growth in more than five years. Continue reading...

• The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence convenes an open hearing on the 2026 Annual Worldwide Threats Assessment on March 19 at 8:30 AM. • Session addresses global risks including ongoing Middle East conflicts and other geopolitical challenges. • Timing aligns with US-Iran war escalations and fresh intelligence on threats like China-Taiwan dynamics.

Jerome Powell resists Trump pressure as policymakers weigh energy shock against a weakening US jobs marketSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe US Federal Reserve held interest rates steady for the second time this year, a widely expected move amid turmoil in the Middle East and rising energy prices.Fed officials faced a confluence of issues to consider in their meeting this week: soaring oil and gas prices, fluctuating inflation that still remains above the Fed’s target of 2% and a weakened job market that unexpectedly saw 92,000 losses last month. Continue reading...

As Iran war drives up cost concerns, thinktank says £3.7bn discount system should be developed before next winterThe UK government is facing calls to spend almost £4bn to launch a “social tariff” providing cheaper energy for poor households amid growing concerns over the Iran conflict.As households brace for an increase in living costs, the Resolution Foundation said ministers should develop a system of discounted domestic energy bills in time for next winter to protect the most vulnerable households. Continue reading...

Borrowers face losing hundreds of dollars a month in higher repayments and rising pump rices will add to the pain, economists warnFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSurging interest rates and petrol prices have stripped more than $1bn a month from Australian household budgets as economists warn of recession risks.Consumers are preparing for rates to surpass their recent highs after the Reserve Bank delivered back-to-back hikes ahead of an inflation spike driven by the US war on Iran. Continue reading...

Ecotricity ranked top in Citizens Advice survey, followed by Outfox, Octopus and Co-operativeBusiness live – latest updatesAround 14 million households in the UK are receiving “below average” customer service from their energy supplier, a consumer group has warned.Citizens Advice said energy suppliers must improve their service, as its survey of 16 companies showed that half of gas and electricity consumers are with suppliers scoring less than three out of five stars for their customer service. Continue reading...

• Senate Judiciary Committee convenes hearing on March 17, 2026, titled 'Stealth Stealing: China's Ongoing Theft of U.S. Innovation,' examining intellectual property threats. • The session addresses national security risks from Chinese espionage, amid escalating U.S.-China tensions over trade and technology. • This hearing underscores bipartisan concerns about protecting American innovation, potentially influencing future legislation on tech exports and sanctions.

• On March 3, 2026, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation’s Subcommittee convened a hearing titled 'Less Hype, More Help: AI That Improves Safety, Productivity, and Care' to explore AI's role in enhancing quality of life, jobs, and economic growth. • The hearings underscore Congress's ongoing focus on AI use across sectors, including healthcare, as a major priority for policy. • Recent congressional attention highlights the Administration's interest in regulating AI to balance innovation and safety.

Prime minister expected to set out tens of millions of pounds in help for heating oil users as conflict with Iran drives up costsKeir Starmer will on Monday announce tens of millions of pounds’ worth of support for Britons hit by a spike in energy prices as a result of the Iran war.The prime minister will lay out the plans during a press conference in Downing Street on Monday, during which he will also take aim at some suppliers of heating oil for price gouging. Continue reading...

National Rally leader urges voters to back party’s ‘common sense’ campaign in final round as it eyes taking another cityJordan Bardella, the head of France’s far-right National Rally (RN) and a potential candidate in next year’s presidential race, has called on voters to back what he called his party’s “common sense and order” campaign in the final round of municipal elections next week.As the first-round municipal election results trickled in on Sunday night, the anti-immigration RN held on to the biggest city it runs: Perpignan. Louis Aliot was re-elected in the first round as mayor of the city, which has a population of 121,000 and is close to the Spanish border. Continue reading...

A Friday report from congressional Democrats highlights that President Trump's tariffs, enacted after Supreme Court invalidation of prior measures, could impose over $2,500 in annual costs on average U.S. households amid efforts to replace lost federal revenue. The analysis critiques the policy as regressive, exacerbating affordability pressures from recent economic strains like energy prices. Trump administration officials defend the tariffs as essential for domestic industry protection and national security. The report fuels midterm election debates on fiscal policy as Democrats push alternative revenue strategies.

A Friday report from congressional Democrats reveals President Trump's expanded tariffs, following Supreme Court invalidation of prior measures, could impose over $2,500 in annual costs on average U.S. households amid efforts to replace lost federal revenue. The analysis highlights economic burdens as Trump pushes replacements for struck-down tariffs, exacerbating affordability concerns. This development matters as it fuels partisan clashes ahead of midterms, with Democrats using the figures to critique GOP economic policies. Upcoming congressional hearings may scrutinize the report's projections and potential legislative offsets.